BMW N47 vs 1.9 D / dTi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 D / dTi carries less risk than the BMW N47: 52/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage»; the 1.9 D / dTi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D)».

Risk index

BMW N47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.9 D / dTi

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 2 November 202621 sources How we work

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Is the 1.9 D / dTi reliable?

Renault's 1.9 D, 1.9 TD and 1.9 dTi diesels (F8Q, F8Qt and F9Q with an injection pump) have a reputation for longevity, but owner reviews repeat three weak points: the injection pump and cylinder head gasket on the naturally aspirated 1.9 D, and the auxiliary belt, EGR and turbo on the dTi. The common-rail 1.9 dCi is a different engine.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 7 of the 1.9 D / dTi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N47 and 1.9 D / dTi
Item	BMW N47	1.9 D / dTi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–218 hp	55–100 hp
Production	2007–2016^{[1][9][10][11]}	1988–2006^[5][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	87Very high risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	7
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure	High severity: Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D) Critical severity: Brake servo vacuum pump: oil suction and loss of assistance High severity: Auxiliary and timing belt: breakage that can destroy the engine
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[14][15][16][17][18]}	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[1][4] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[10] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[11]	1.9 D 55/65 hp (F8Q, naturally aspirated indirect injection, 1988-2006)^{[6][7][8][19]} 1.9 TD/dT 90-95 hp (F8Qt, turbo with indirect injection, 1991-2001)^[5][8] 1.9 dTi 80-100 hp (F9Q with mechanical pump, direct injection and turbo, 1997-2002)^{[8][19][20][21]}
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

1.9 D / dTi

See the 7 models with the 1.9 D / dTi

Other comparisons

With the BMW N47

With the 1.9 D / dTi

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Moteur F (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Renault Clio IIWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Mégane 1 (1995-2002) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Scénic 1 (1996-2003) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 1 (1994-2001) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French